Sumbmodule 1 2.1.2 Diversity Definition Both definitions, in my opinion, are both accurate. However, definition one is the one that provides the most useful definition. The second definition, although accurate, doesn't go in depth. It not going into depth is a problem, because some categories can be excluded when thinking about diversity. Versus definition one, that provides readers with a pretty clear and concise definition to use. The second definition also provides the effect of people accepting all diversity. Which I also think is important to know and include. The first definition also states that "diversity allows us to move beyond simple tolerance and celebrate the rich dimensions of people". Which is a key component when trying to truly understand diversity. Categories of Diversity I was originally torn between two categories when trying to decide which one I thought would help me best as I proceeded in class. Those two being: thinking styles and communication style/skills. I finally came to the conclusion that the later is most important. Communication is what really helps any situation. When it comes to diversity, and being able to truly accept it, you have to understand it's origins. The only way to do that is by communicating. For this class, asking questions will be important, understanding what the writer's of the plays meant will be critical, group discussions will be had, and opinions will be voiced. Embracing diversity, will depend on communication. That's why I chose communication style/skills as the most important. The right/ wrong communication style/ skill can make or break any conversation dealing with accepting diversity.
2.1.3 Diversity in Wedding Band Wedding Band: A Love/ Hate Story in Black and White although focused mainly on one woman’s life and the people around her; it was still a very complex play. The play contains many different categories of diversity. The tile of the play alone, gives the audience some insight into how complicated this play may be. Because of the geographic location, the audience now has some sense of the possible dialect that is used in the play. The character is also an “educated” black woman (race) whose “husband” is a “white” man that owns a bakery that he owes money on (socio-economic status). They live down south during time of war. Where a man who serves in the military (military experience) still shouldn’t be seen in public with his suit unless he wants to experience major backlash. Marital status is also brought up a lot. Where a woman who is is in her late 30’s (age) is frowned upon when she isn’t married, or white (or in Herman’s case German) man and black woman (Julia) cannot be married. But along with marital status importance being acknowledged so is religion. A biracial marriage isn’t of God, but neither is shaking. This play, although only covered in a span of two or three days, still touches on a lot of diversity categories.
2.2.1 Worksheet Q&R 1. In the space below, describe the stasis at the beginning of Wedding Band. In other words, “Where are we?” “When is it (time, day, and year)?” “Who are the people involved?” “What is the dramatic situation in which the characters find themselves as the play unfolds?” Wedding Band takes place in the backyards of three house, in a city by the sea, in South Carolina the summer 1918. The main character is a black woman by the name of Julia who is in a relationship with a white man by the name of Herman. Julia neighbors are Fanny (the landlord), Lula whose son Nelson is in the army, Mattie who has a daughter named Teeta and a “husband” who is overseas fighting, Princess the white girl that Mattie watches, and a bellboy. Although Julia is new, the neighbors are quick to try to know all about her. But they soon find out when Herman gets fatally ill in her home. 2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play? NOTE: Arguments might be made for several different points where stasis is broken. Be prepared to defend your point of view, if different from other students. In the play Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White the intrusion occurs when Herman illness is exposed. Before Herman falls in front of everyone, the play is pretty stagnant. It’s only then, that Herman’s mother and sister are introduced. It drives the play forward. Once his illness is discovered, action has to take place. The characters had to decide where to take him, if a doctor should be called, Julia finally meets her “in-laws”. 3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor which is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? This is the day that Julia finally meets everyone and gets a wedding ring that she has wanted for 10 years. It’s supposed to be the start of a new life for her. However, this is also the day that Herman’s illness reaches its ultimate peak. This is the day that their relationship also starts to end. 4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.) Most people would question would if Julia and Herman would get married? But another question that rises in the end is what is to come? Will Julia leave her new family and will October and Nelson return home from the war and there actually be change in the world that they fought for.Will Julia actually go to Philadelphia? 5. Use Julia to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is the dramatic actions that are taken by that character. Examine what the character wants (NOTE: In Wedding Band the wants of Julia are in flux. They change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual or individuals, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles in the play. Julia is a woman who wants “happily ever after” with the a guy who she has been dating for ten years. However there are obstacles that stand in the way of this. She is battling society, individuals, and fate. Julia unfortunately lives in a time where a biracial relationship isn’t just sinful, but it’s criminal. It’s so criminal, that she can’t even call the doctor to the house once Herman got sick because it will cause so much backlash. She is also battling fate. Julia is very optimistic when it comes to the future of her relationship with Herman. Plans are even being made for them to move up north. However fate took control. Herman died, listening to the words of Julia acting out what could've been. Julia also battles individuals and at one point herself. Their (Julia and Herman) relationship has to be hidden. Herman’s family doesn’t accept it, and neither does Julia’s new family. But because of the disrespect Julia endured with Herman’s mother and the “threat” of having to move away from her family and go back to being lonesome and quiet; Julia denies her love for Herman the next day when he returns. 6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Wedding Band. Some of the most theatrical moments in the play are as follow: *Teeta losing the quarter: this is the introduction, this is how the story begins *Herman showing up: we finally get to put a “face” to the name *Herman falling ill: this creates the play’s intrusion *Herman mother and sister showing up: they changed the entire pace and dynamic of the show 7. Provide at least three examples of images in Wedding Band. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”) Example one: the wedding band. The wedding band was never placed on the finger, it was on the chain. Most people assumed it’s because the marriage can’t happen soon, but it’s actually because it’ll never occur. Example two: home. Herman’s mother keeps emphasizing that Herman should go home. That he should spend his final moments at home. That tells the audience that Herman will die. Example three: The ending monologue. Julia paints and image of what could've been. Their happily ever after. Them waving goodbye to their families, who eventually accepted them. At this moment the audience knows that Herman is dying, the wedding band will never be on the finger, and their dream fades away the further Herman fades away. 8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Wedding Band. Marriage is a theme that if often times talked about in Wedding band. Along with marriage, biracial relationships is a theme of play. The wedding band is a representation of marriage. Even the neighbors talked about marriage quite frequently. Biracial relationship was brought to the to the forefront from the very beginning. The main character is in a biracial relationship. The theme of love and hate is also expressed. A relationship that shared so much love experienced hate the entire duration of its existence. 9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with the dramatic action in Wedding Band? Perhaps you might argue for several different kinds of family in this particular play. What do you think? A family doesn’t have to be classified as a set of parents and children. A family is what Julia ended up finding in Mattie, Teeta, Fanny, Nelson, and Lula. A family is what Julia and Herman were trying to build, but could never obtain. Herman’s family was dysfunctional.His parents were married, but his mother didn’t love his father. Family is important in this play. Marriage is important to Julia, as well as the other characters.
Submodule 3 Design in Wicked and The Lion King These productions were breathtaking. I knew that it took a lot of work to make a production some to life, but this brought my knowledge to a new level. I’ve seen a few plays, and my sister was a theatre major and acted in plays. However, I was oblivious to what I was watching. I used to think that the actors changed quickly, but lighting plays a part in it. I knew that sound was critical, but without the proper time put into perfecting the sound, there is no need for the play to ven continue. These aspects are often time looked over, but without them the practice the actors/ actresses had was all for nothing. The costumes also bring more realism to the play. It allows the the character to have more “character” and build more of a connection to the audience. These aspects are critical in order for the play to be a success. The Lion King is no exception. The lighting, clothing, and sound especially made the performance what it was. Of course the actors/actresses were wonderful, but the behind the scenes production- that is what made the play. The likeness of the costumes and the warm lighting gave the audience a personal connection to what was happening around them. The sound allowed the singers to be heard clearly. The production was beautiful. Wedding Band Viewer’s Guide I think the plays were successful in their own way. Each had their own uniqueness about them. However I would refer to see the first one if I had to choose. The snippet of the second one didn’t really captivate me.Coincidentally, the sneak peak of the first one isn’t what captivated me either. It was the behind the scenes of the first one that got my attention. I feel like they truly understand the character. I was a little skeptical about the Teeta and Mattie character portrayals at first but the behind the scenes won me over. They knew that some of those moments needed to be built to. I think that’s why I would rather go see the other one. The delivery of a sentence can make or break a play so those pregnant pauses in the behind the scene footage really grabbed by attention. As well as the singing, that was a nice touch.
2.1.2
Diversity Definition
Both definitions, in my opinion, are both accurate. However, definition one is the one that provides the most useful definition. The second definition, although accurate, doesn't go in depth. It not going into depth is a problem, because some categories can be excluded when thinking about diversity. Versus definition one, that provides readers with a pretty clear and concise definition to use. The second definition also provides the effect of people accepting all diversity. Which I also think is important to know and include. The first definition also states that "diversity allows us to move beyond simple tolerance and celebrate the rich dimensions of people". Which is a key component when trying to truly understand diversity.
Categories of Diversity
I was originally torn between two categories when trying to decide which one I thought would help me best as I proceeded in class. Those two being: thinking styles and communication style/skills. I finally came to the conclusion that the later is most important. Communication is what really helps any situation. When it comes to diversity, and being able to truly accept it, you have to understand it's origins. The only way to do that is by communicating. For this class, asking questions will be important, understanding what the writer's of the plays meant will be critical, group discussions will be had, and opinions will be voiced. Embracing diversity, will depend on communication. That's why I chose communication style/skills as the most important. The right/ wrong communication style/ skill can make or break any conversation dealing with accepting diversity.
2.1.3
Diversity in Wedding Band
Wedding Band: A Love/ Hate Story in Black and White although focused mainly on one woman’s life and the people around her; it was still a very complex play. The play contains many different categories of diversity. The tile of the play alone, gives the audience some insight into how complicated this play may be. Because of the geographic location, the audience now has some sense of the possible dialect that is used in the play. The character is also an “educated” black woman (race) whose “husband” is a “white” man that owns a bakery that he owes money on (socio-economic status). They live down south during time of war. Where a man who serves in the military (military experience) still shouldn’t be seen in public with his suit unless he wants to experience major backlash. Marital status is also brought up a lot. Where a woman who is is in her late 30’s (age) is frowned upon when she isn’t married, or white (or in Herman’s case German) man and black woman (Julia) cannot be married. But along with marital status importance being acknowledged so is religion. A biracial marriage isn’t of God, but neither is shaking. This play, although only covered in a span of two or three days, still touches on a lot of diversity categories.
2.2.1
Worksheet Q&R
1. In the space below, describe the stasis at the beginning of Wedding Band. In other words, “Where are we?” “When is it (time, day, and year)?” “Who are the people involved?” “What is the dramatic situation in which the characters find themselves as the play unfolds?”
Wedding Band takes place in the backyards of three house, in a city by the sea, in South Carolina the summer 1918. The main character is a black woman by the name of Julia who is in a relationship with a white man by the name of Herman. Julia neighbors are Fanny (the landlord), Lula whose son Nelson is in the army, Mattie who has a daughter named Teeta and a “husband” who is overseas fighting, Princess the white girl that Mattie watches, and a bellboy. Although Julia is new, the neighbors are quick to try to know all about her. But they soon find out when Herman gets fatally ill in her home.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play? NOTE: Arguments might be made for several different points where stasis is broken. Be prepared to defend your point of view, if different from other students.
In the play Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White the intrusion occurs when Herman illness is exposed. Before Herman falls in front of everyone, the play is pretty stagnant. It’s only then, that Herman’s mother and sister are introduced. It drives the play forward. Once his illness is discovered, action has to take place. The characters had to decide where to take him, if a doctor should be called, Julia finally meets her “in-laws”.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor which is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
This is the day that Julia finally meets everyone and gets a wedding ring that she has wanted for 10 years. It’s supposed to be the start of a new life for her. However, this is also the day that Herman’s illness reaches its ultimate peak. This is the day that their relationship also starts to end.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
Most people would question would if Julia and Herman would get married? But another question that rises in the end is what is to come? Will Julia leave her new family and will October and Nelson return home from the war and there actually be change in the world that they fought for.Will Julia actually go to Philadelphia?
5. Use Julia to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is the dramatic actions that are taken by that character. Examine what the character wants (NOTE: In Wedding Band the wants of Julia are in flux. They change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual or individuals, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles in the play.
Julia is a woman who wants “happily ever after” with the a guy who she has been dating for ten years. However there are obstacles that stand in the way of this. She is battling society, individuals, and fate. Julia unfortunately lives in a time where a biracial relationship isn’t just sinful, but it’s criminal. It’s so criminal, that she can’t even call the doctor to the house once Herman got sick because it will cause so much backlash. She is also battling fate. Julia is very optimistic when it comes to the future of her relationship with Herman. Plans are even being made for them to move up north. However fate took control. Herman died, listening to the words of Julia acting out what could've been. Julia also battles individuals and at one point herself. Their (Julia and Herman) relationship has to be hidden. Herman’s family doesn’t accept it, and neither does Julia’s new family. But because of the disrespect Julia endured with Herman’s mother and the “threat” of having to move away from her family and go back to being lonesome and quiet; Julia denies her love for Herman the next day when he returns.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Wedding Band.
Some of the most theatrical moments in the play are as follow:
*Teeta losing the quarter: this is the introduction, this is how the story begins
*Herman showing up: we finally get to put a “face” to the name
*Herman falling ill: this creates the play’s intrusion
*Herman mother and sister showing up: they changed the entire pace and dynamic of the show
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Wedding Band. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
Example one: the wedding band. The wedding band was never placed on the finger, it was on the chain. Most people assumed it’s because the marriage can’t happen soon, but it’s actually because it’ll never occur.
Example two: home. Herman’s mother keeps emphasizing that Herman should go home. That he should spend his final moments at home. That tells the audience that Herman will die.
Example three: The ending monologue. Julia paints and image of what could've been. Their happily ever after. Them waving goodbye to their families, who eventually accepted them. At this moment the audience knows that Herman is dying, the wedding band will never be on the finger, and their dream fades away the further Herman fades away.
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Wedding Band.
Marriage is a theme that if often times talked about in Wedding band. Along with marriage, biracial relationships is a theme of play. The wedding band is a representation of marriage. Even the neighbors talked about marriage quite frequently. Biracial relationship was brought to the to the forefront from the very beginning. The main character is in a biracial relationship. The theme of love and hate is also expressed. A relationship that shared so much love experienced hate the entire duration of its existence.
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with the dramatic action in Wedding Band? Perhaps you might argue for several different kinds of family in this particular play. What do you think?
A family doesn’t have to be classified as a set of parents and children. A family is what Julia ended up finding in Mattie, Teeta, Fanny, Nelson, and Lula. A family is what Julia and Herman were trying to build, but could never obtain. Herman’s family was dysfunctional.His parents were married, but his mother didn’t love his father. Family is important in this play. Marriage is important to Julia, as well as the other characters.
Submodule 3
Design in Wicked and The Lion King
These productions were breathtaking. I knew that it took a lot of work to make a production some to life, but this brought my knowledge to a new level. I’ve seen a few plays, and my sister was a theatre major and acted in plays. However, I was oblivious to what I was watching. I used to think that the actors changed quickly, but lighting plays a part in it. I knew that sound was critical, but without the proper time put into perfecting the sound, there is no need for the play to ven continue. These aspects are often time looked over, but without them the practice the actors/ actresses had was all for nothing. The costumes also bring more realism to the play. It allows the the character to have more “character” and build more of a connection to the audience. These aspects are critical in order for the play to be a success. The Lion King is no exception. The lighting, clothing, and sound especially made the performance what it was. Of course the actors/actresses were wonderful, but the behind the scenes production- that is what made the play. The likeness of the costumes and the warm lighting gave the audience a personal connection to what was happening around them. The sound allowed the singers to be heard clearly. The production was beautiful.
Wedding Band Viewer’s Guide
I think the plays were successful in their own way. Each had their own uniqueness about them. However I would refer to see the first one if I had to choose. The snippet of the second one didn’t really captivate me.Coincidentally, the sneak peak of the first one isn’t what captivated me either. It was the behind the scenes of the first one that got my attention. I feel like they truly understand the character. I was a little skeptical about the Teeta and Mattie character portrayals at first but the behind the scenes won me over. They knew that some of those moments needed to be built to. I think that’s why I would rather go see the other one. The delivery of a sentence can make or break a play so those pregnant pauses in the behind the scene footage really grabbed by attention. As well as the singing, that was a nice touch.